Michael's Stories

Kandou sketch by FluorescentWolf
A sketch of Kandou, the main character from THE WATERCOLOR WAR.

So what is this Guild Library?

The Guild Library is a magnificent database of humanity's knowledge
and history. It is managed by a universe-wide government called the
Galactic Guild of Enforcement from its headquarters on the planet of
Ur-Magad. Any citizen of the Guild can easily learn about their past
in the Library - from humanity's unexpected need to leave Earth and
colonize other planets, through the war-torn times before the
Guild's existence that nearly saw humanity enslaved, to the fragile
peace that has persevered after its formation.

I currently have two projects. They are part of the overall future
history but are also their own distinct stories.

The Watercolor War

She steals to survive and he's a farmer's son. An army threatens
the land, enhanced by planetary energy. Both are unaware they
can help defeat the army – until they learn of their connections
to it. (This story is completed.)

Story Sample

The sight of Mekin on the floor, effectively prone, overrode any
caution Ruñe had left. Her hand closed around the dagger at her
waist and she unsheathed it, like she’d been practicing earlier.
The Diazürian was in the middle of an attack so she ran up and
plunged the blade into his side.

He shouted and swung his leg back, trying to kick Ruñe. This
caused her to rip the dagger out, and a torrent of blood came
with it. Staggering back, the warrior dropped his sword. He
clutched at the wound, gasping, and fell to the ground. Blood
spilled from his side and pooled on the floor. Ruñe stared in
horror as the man convulsed a few times, then brought her eyes
down to the dagger. Its blade had a thin sheen of red, to match
the rubies adorning it. A numbness spread over her body at the
realization of what she’d done.

I killed someone. I’ve never killed anyone. I just killed
someone.

"Ruñe."

She knelt down next to the dying man. He said nothing, only
gurgled, his mouth full of blood. He would have killed
Mekin, she tried to reassure herself. She removed the head
wrap a little to see his face, hoping that he wouldn’t have
light skin and freckles. He didn’t. Yet, the image of a young
boy who did came into her mind. I didn’t kill him! she
protested. He lived!

"Ruñe!"

Mekin was calling to her but everything was a haze. She went
back, moments earlier, where she had delivered the fatal wound
to the Dian warrior. I’d have sacrificed myself to save
Mekin. Despite the pain of the memory, she remembered how
her father defended her mother. She remembered when the pale man
prevailed, and her mother’s despair. He sacrificed himself
to save my mother and I.

It didn’t matter that her father’s actions did not stop the
marauder from killing her mother. That Ruñe survived through
sheer luck didn’t matter, either. All that mattered was the
attempt because her parents loved one another.

With a wave of warmth wrapping around her body like a snug
blanket, Ruñe thought, Gods ... I love him.

The Three Empires
working title

Smugglers discover that planetary governments are being
infiltrated by a group of beings who seek to enslave humans.
They must convince humanity to work together – even though it
would mean the end of their business. (In progress: First draft
done.)

Longer Blurb

Forced into the universe by a catastrophe on Earth, humanity
found new homes on three planets. Scientific advancements made
travel and communication possible across the light years of
space, as well as further colonization. Despite the things
linking them, though, the Three Empires have constantly been at
war with one another. Now, a tenuous truce holds – two-hundred years
and counting.

While the Three Empires may not be able to agree on much, that
discord means profit for Cartel smugglers Mary and Davi. Both
veteran co-captains with a skilled crew, they seek to start a
family together. Due to fertility complications, that’s a pricey
aspiration, but they thankfully have steady work to pay for the
procedures they’ll need.

After a routine job goes horribly wrong, Mary and Davi discover
another race infiltrating institutions of power and oppressing
the citizens of all Three Empires. If they can convince the
Cartel to intervene and alert humanity, it would expose their
less-than-legal profession. Yet, if Mary and Davi don’t act to
stop the threat, there might not be a free universe to raise a
child in.

Questions? Feel free to contact me using the links to my Twitter
profile or email at the top or bottom of the page.